The Washington critic., 1887-09-02
THE 'SQUTRE'S WOOING.

The sight Of her fresh young face set
the old man thinking how at one time
In his life he had loved her mother,
and the daughters face seemed exactly
like the one he had known so well.
Good morning. he cried out,
cheerily, from his work.
GOOD morDing" said the girl, stop.
ping at the fence, and shading her eyes
with her hands. "Myl how your
Strawberries grow-1 don't believe
we'll get II psiliu out OF our patch"
"N,ll, you tell your ma she can
help herself to mine whenever she
wants 'em. Let me see. Tell her ri
come over Saturday and bring some Of
them with me. But say, l had
leler from Charley yesterday" with a
smile.
"Yesi" she said, blushing and pull
Ing at a daisy In her hand. "You
ought to be glad of that, Squire. Com.
Ing down hereY'
"For n few days. that's ALL"
We'll. don't disappoint us Satur.
day" as she turned 10 go.
Il won't" said the Squire, going
back to his work.
He was very thoughtful, however,
all the afternoon, aud when Charley
arrived he took an carly opportunity to
corner him.
olive been thinkin' some lately of
getiin' a new housekeeper. he STAN
mered, growing very red In the face.
Doesn't Aunt Sarah want to stay 2'
asked Charley, uususpectlngly.
IL meant-aheml--a hOusekeeper
of-of another kindW exclaimed the
Squire explosively, wipiug his face
very energeicaTly after the completion
OF the difficult sentence.
81 think begin To understand"
said Charley, In great surprise. MAY
i ask who 1t ISL"
"Ii's-it's-down the road" an.
swered the Squire, choking consider.
ably over the words, aud jerking his
thumb over his shoulder la the drec.
ton at The Widow Kcene's.
That's the way the wind blows, Is
M" laughed Charley. I'm glad to
hear ii. You ciuldn't do better If you
hunted the world over"
"lm glad TO hear you say so, said
bis father, much relieved. II felt
sure you'n like TO have Lucy as--as a
"a member of the family"
81 haven't the least objection to such
an arrangement answered Charley,
with twinkle in his eyes.
"Thank The Lord. that's over with"
said the Squire, drawing "A long breath,
as Charley strolled off down the path
In the twilight. That's sensible boy.
! wonder. now, that he never took a
fancy to Lucy. s'pose folks'll say
I'm an old fool but l don't care"
About o'clock on Saturday after.
noon the Squire, In his best coat, aud
with Il pail of strawberries on his arm,
knocked at Mrs. Keene's door.
Good afternoon" she said opening
the door to her visitor. He couldn't
help thinking that her face was almost
as fair MS 1t had been 25 years ago, as
she welcomed him In.
The Squire wanted to say he'd like
her daughter, but concluded he
wouldn't just then.
BY that time he was In the sitting
room. Who should he see there but
Charley, holding worstrd for Lucy to
wind, and seeming very much at home.
IL didn't expect to see you here"
he stammered
Then Lucy and Charley tried hard to
look very demure and failed, aud finally
got 10 laughing. The Squire felt his
face growing uncomfortably warm.
Just see what he brought u.s." said
the widow, displaying the berries. "If
youll hull some, Lucy, we'll have a
shortcake for tea. remember you
used TO be rather fond of shoItcake
good many Years ago" she said to the
Squire, and smiled till dlmple
showed Itself In each cheek
II know what you're thinkin' Of"
responded he. THAT was a little the
best shortcske ever came across, Hes.
ter and then they both laughed over
the recollection ut some pleasant event
In by ygone years. Then Lucy and her
mother went TO the kilcnen an the
Squire and his son were left to.
gether
"I-I've spoken to her about be.
ing one of the family, and she's
willing" said Charley, with little
blush.
"Whatp The Squire felt hot and
cold hy turns. IL don't under.
stapdl'
you know what you said the other
night, when you told me YOU thought
Of getting her mother for house
keeper" explained Charley. II sup
posed from that that you understood
Lucy and intended to be married
sometime. We've talked 1t over, and
its all settled"
The Squire was speechless for the
space Of u minute
Il hope you'll be happy" he man.
aged to say, very family, NJ last.
just then the widow came in.
I've got the cake baking" she said.
Lucy said she'd hull the berries and
SET the table, and sent me in to play
lady So came"
Charley concluded he could hull
Strawberries too, aud slipped out into
the kitchen,
The Squire had made up his mind
again. II he couldn't have Lucy he'd
have her mother
Whats the use of wai,ing?" thought
he. at might MS well be settled now
as any time"
A happy thought came to him az he
cast about for words to express his
desire.
Hester" very suddenly, and with
the energy of desperation, "you said II
you bad anything I'd like | was vel.
come 10 1t. | want you."
"Why, Squire Kimbnllr ~ cried the
widow, hlushiug So roSily that he felt
sure that she was pretlier than her
daughter.
When Lucy came in, half an hour
later. To tell them supper WAS ready,
Squire Kimball rose up, bIushiug like
agnl, and said
This isyour mother, Lucy" point
ing iu the widow.
81 knew that long time ago."
answered Lucy, laughing
sEnp1nuga what A blun1pr - prIpl